A journey into the heart of America’s most iconic forests, Giants Rising reveals the secrets, superpowers and saga of the redwoods— the tallest and some of the oldest living beings on Earth. Living links to the past, redwoods also hold powers that may play a role in our future, including their ability to withstand fire and capture carbon, to offer clues about resilience, and even to enhance our own well-being.
Through the voices of biologists, artists, Native communities and others, we discover the scientific wonders of redwoods, our deep cultural ties to them, and efforts to help these iconic forests overcome the legacy of logging that nearly wiped them out. It’s a tale that offers lessons about resilience, and the promise of solutions that will help us ALL rise up to face challenges that lay ahead.
Following the screening, there will be a conversation with Lisa Landers, Director and Producer of Giants Rising. This program is a part of the ongoing series MOCA Climate Conversations
For more than two decades, Lisa Landers has been creating award-winning programs for television and museums. Her work has been featured by the Smithsonian Channel, National Geographic, Discovery, PBS/KQED and the American Museum ofNatural History, among other venues. She's traveled the world covering diverse subjects ranging from Nile crocodiles to aerial dancing, and crafting multimedia experiences that engage diverse audiences. She's most passionate about telling stories that spark connections with the natural world, and with each other. Lisa lives, works and finds inspiration among the coastal redwoods of northern California.
Part of MOCA’s environmental programming, MOCA Climate Conversations are organized by Kelsey Shell, Environmental and Sustainability Strategist, with Michele Huizar, Programming Assistant, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.
Highlighting the museum’s work around climate, conservation, and environmental justice, MOCA’s environmental programs are guided by the work of the MOCA Environmental Council, the first sustainability council at a major arts museum in the United States. The environmental programs present artists, activists, and scholars committed to critical ecological issues in Los Angeles and globally.
The 2025 MOCA Climate Conversations are made possible by Nora McNeely Hurley and the Manitou Fund.
